# Using Payload outside Next.js

Source: https://payloadcms.com/docs/local-api/outside-nextjs

Payload can be used completely outside of Next.js which is helpful in cases like running scripts, using Payload in a separate backend service, or using Payload's Local API to fetch your data directly from your database in other frontend frameworks like SvelteKit, Remix, Nuxt, and similar.

> **Note:** Payload and all of its official packages are fully ESM. If you want
> to use Payload within your own projects, make sure you are writing your
> scripts in ESM format or dynamically importing the Payload Config.

## Importing the Payload Config outside of Next.js

Payload provides a convenient way to run standalone scripts, which can be useful for tasks like seeding your database or performing one-off operations.

In standalone scripts, you can simply import the Payload Config and use it right away. If you need an initialized copy of Payload, you can then use the `getPayload` function. This can be useful for tasks like seeding your database or performing other one-off operations.

```ts
import { getPayload } from 'payload'
import config from '@payload-config'

const seed = async () => {
  // Get a local copy of Payload by passing your config
  const payload = await getPayload({ config })

  const user = await payload.create({
    collection: 'users',
    data: {
      email: 'dev@payloadcms.com',
      password: 'some-password',
    },
  })

  const page = await payload.create({
    collection: 'pages',
    data: {
      title: 'My Homepage',
      // other data to seed here
    },
  })
}

// Call the function here to run your seed script
await seed()
```

You can then execute the script using `payload run`. Example: if you placed this standalone script in `src/seed.ts`, you would execute it like this:

```sh
payload run src/seed.ts
```

The `payload run` command does two things for you:

1. It loads the environment variables the same way Next.js loads them, eliminating the need for additional dependencies like `dotenv`. The usage of `dotenv` is not recommended, as Next.js loads environment variables differently. By using `payload run`, you ensure consistent environment variable handling across your Payload and Next.js setup.
2. It initializes tsx, allowing direct execution of TypeScript files manually installing tools like tsx or ts-node.

### Troubleshooting

If you encounter import-related errors, you have 2 options:

#### Option 1: enable swc mode by appending `--use-swc` to the `payload` command:

Example:

```sh
payload run src/seed.ts --use-swc
```

Note: Install @swc-node/register in your project first. While swc mode is faster than the default tsx mode, it might break for some imports.

#### Option 2: use an alternative runtime like bun

While we do not guarantee support for alternative runtimes, you are free to use them and disable Payload's own transpilation by appending the `--disable-transpile` flag to the `payload` command:

```sh
bunx --bun payload run src/seed.ts --disable-transpile
```

You will need to have bun installed on your system for this to work.